Art of Holidays Blog

The Venetian Walls of Heraklion

The Venetian Walls of Heraklion is the largest you meet strongest fortress building across the Mediterranean, which did not have the luck to be in the Heritage List of UNESCO. To built this massive fort took dozens of years.

The Venetian Walls of Heraklion

The Venetian Walls of Heraklion is the largest you meet strongest fortress building across the Mediterranean, which did not have the luck to be in the Heritage List of UNESCO. To built this massive fort took dozens of years. Their construction spanned the 16th and 17th century. Are they managed to repulse for twenty years the avid attacks of the Ottoman army until the occupation of the city in 1669. It is a complex of bastions, gates, tunnels, bunkers you meet small trench ezone met throughout the perimeter of the walls. The gates were very basic for the influx of people and goods in the city, because only from there can enter the city. On facades will confront monumental inscriptions and coats of arms of Venetian nobility. Everywhere as an architectural gem you meet a reminder of the greatness and power of Venice, the winged lion of St. Mark. Thus, within the walls was closed the city of Candia. The walls are accessible and are the most appropriate place to see the view of the city from above. Also on the walls is the stadium of football club Ergotelis and the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis. The last year has been somewhat of a lively atmosphere in the walls, having gateways and various galleries function as exhibition spaces open to all interested parties.

Gate of St. George

The gate of St. George is currently in Liberty Square and had great importance for the Venetians. since from there lead sufferers of infectious disease in purgatory (hence the name Lazaretto). Nowadays there is only the outside, since the inside was demolished in 1917. Internally are housed various reports.

Gate Vitouri

It is relatively unknown to most, since it is hidden under a building. Access is from the district of Viglas over Liberty Square. Walking you will reach the low square frames and then find the exit. where it is the municipal parking. In summer cultural events are organized there.

Bethlehem Gate

In this portal has fled El Greco, the El Greco. Here is hosted an exhibition of costumes of the homonymous film John Smaragdis. Paintings of the artist are not here, as some originals are kept in the Historical Museum of Heraklion After the low courtyard you can see the second part of the exhibition.

Stoa Makasi

It is one of the so-called 'military' gates of the walls. The locals do not know it. after it is remained closed. After the rebuild. has highlighted its impressive size, which extends in a corridor 110 meters resulting in a lower court.

The stoa has a special history that goes back in the period of the Second World War. Here the Nazi occupiers held captive prisoners. which took them to concentration camps. As you walk into the gallery, you'll see votive columns with names of victims, photographs of the Battle of Crete, books. weapons and other memorabilia from this turbulent time.